Phil Mitchell's preview: After a fortnight in which Ben Barba's personal demons were laid bare as he was stood down from football indefinitely, Canterbury will be happy just to return to the field and try to deflect attention from their star fullback’s ordeal. No doubt Barba will be a huge loss - no other player in the NRL can conjure a try out of nothing quite like him - but the Bulldogs are anything but a one-man band. Des Hasler has transformed them into a formidable unit, from 1-17, and he is fortunate to be able to call on the experienced Steve Turner as Barba's replacement.

The Cowboys have had no such upheavals in the pre-season and have named almost the same run-on team that served them very well last season. The only newcomer is colourful English hooker Scott Moore, who is best known for going on a bender in London with Hollywood wildman Mickey Rourke after a Challenge Cup final loss with Huddersfield. If the Bulldogs have their way, Moore might be drowning his sorrows again.

Pivotal role ... Josh Reynolds. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Late Mail: Mitch Brown is set to drop off a five-man Bulldogs bench for Saturday night's clash with the Cowboys in Gosford. Despite Steve Turner being named at No.1, Drury Low is still a chance of shifting from the wing to fullback to fill the void left by Ben Barba's indefinite suspension.

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Robert Lui, named on a six-man Cowboys' bench, has remained in Townsville for personal reasons, with Clint Greenshields brought over to cover for any injuries. Second-rower Scott Bolton is likely to drop off the bench.

AAP writes: No Ben Barba ... no Bulldogs. There are plenty of pundits predicting Canterbury can't possibly be the same team that surged to last year's grand final without the reigning Dally M medallist, who has been suspended indefinitely due to disciplinary issues. If there is anyone who can come up with a solution it is Des Hasler.

The Cowboys, with some help from the referees, know they blew a golden chance to press for their maiden premiership last year and, in what could be Johnathan Thurston's final year with the club, 2013 might be the best chance they get for a while. If the Cowboys are serious they need to start winning away from home. Another exciting first round match-up that could go either way.

Key: Five-eighth Josh Reynolds is possibly the man under as much pressure as any in Barba's absence. Halfback Kris Keating is an honest playmaker at best and, without Barba, it is Reynolds who will be relied upon to crank the Bulldogs attack into gear.